Ideas are the birthplace of inventions so protect your ideas with a patent.
Ideas are the birth place of inventions and it can be tempting when you feel like you have a brilliant idea to tell everyone about it. Entrepreneur.com recommends that the first thing you need to do if you have a fantastic idea that you wish to turn into an invention is protect it. You should understand copyright and intellectual property laws before you go ahead and attempt to turn your idea into an invention. Once the idea is protected, there are a few steps you can take before taking the invention to the market place.
Instructions
Protect Your Ideas
1. Purchase an inventor's journal. An inventor's journal is a notebook with consecutively numbered pages. You must not be able to remove or re-insert the pages. You should get your inventor's note book dated and signed by a witness. The inventor's journal will become indispensable during the patent process.You can buy one at your local book store or, if you prefer to buy online, try Nolo or Book Factory.
2. Document your idea in your inventor's journal. Write down everything about the invention, including what it is, how it will be made, how it will be used, any ideas you have for taking it to the market place, manufacture it, and who you will sell it to.
3. Search the patents registered on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website to see if someone has already patented your idea. This search can be done for free. If there is a patent on file, you can not patent the idea. Also do a search for non-patent "prior art search." If you come up with any drawings or diagrams of your idea, even though this is not technically a registered patent, you can not patent your idea as it is already in the system.
4. Make lots of sketches of your prototype in your inventor's journal before attempting to make it. Create a few 3D mock ups out of cheap materials before attempting to use your final materials. If your invention is an idea for a drug, a chemical, or a large building, consider using 3D animation/imaging software to create an image of your prototype.
5. Make a prototype and iron out any flaws, kinks or mistakes before you patent it. This is because once the patent has been registered, you can not make any additions or changes to the design. If you register it before you think it is ready and you have to change it after registration, you run the risk of someone else using your design, improving it and registering it as another invention. There are many prototype kits and books available to assist you, if required, from book stores or online. Once complete, you can use your prototype as a demonstration tool for potential investors and other potential stakeholders.
6. File a patent with the patent office. You can file a patent for a utility patent or a design patent, depending on what your invention is. You can write the application yourself but, before filing it, ensure that you consult a patent expert--such as a patent attorney or agent--to look over it thoroughly. Alternatively, get them to write the patent application for you. Make sure they are registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office and discuss fees early on before you commit to anything. Be sure to have all of your documentation including your invention journal and prototypes with you at meetings. Unless you are a patent attorney yourself and file the papers yourself, someone could find a loophole in your patent application and use it to patent the design themselves.
7. Create a detailed business and marketing plan explaining how you will get the product to market, how it will be manufactured, what your start up costs are, who your customers will be and if you will license or sell the product. You can use your business plan to convince potential investors, buyers licensees and other stakeholders to invest in getting your invention on to the market.
